February Minutes 2022
ERIE TOWNSHIP
Regular Board Meeting
February 8, 2022
Board members present: Chairman Charles Chadbourne; Supervisor Joann Splonskowski;
Supervisor Gerald Schram
Officers present: Clerk Karen Eifealdt; Treasurer Becky Renner
Others present: Aaron Aslesen; Jeff Staley; Josh Swangler; Anderson Saint George;
Dale Renner; Matt Arola; Bob Eifealdt; Grant Graham
Chairman Chuck Chadbourne called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The agenda was reviewed by the board. A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne to approve the agenda as presented with no additions. Motion carried.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Splonskowski to approve the minutes of the January 4, 2022 regular meeting. Motion carried.
Treasurer Becky Renner gave the treasurer’s report with the checking account having a balance of $20,374.06; the money market account having a balance of $465,755.39; and the CD having a balance of $129,264.39 making total funds as of January 31, 2022 $615,394.15. A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Schram to approve the treasurer’s report as presented. Motion carried.
Liquor License renewals: Prior the approval of licenses, Supervisor Schram asked if there had been any incidences at any of the establishments that required law enforcement being called. Each responded that there had not.
Aaron Aslesen presented the paperwork for the liquor license renewal for Lakes Corner Liquor. A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Splonskowski to approve the renewal. Motion carried and Chairman Chadbourne and Clerk Eifealdt signed the form.
Jeff Staley presented the paperwork for the liquor license renewal for Detroit Mountain Recreational Area. A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Splonskowski to approve the renewal. Motion carried and Chairman Chadbourne and Clerk Eifealdt signed the form.
Josh Swangler presented the paperwork for the liquor license renewal for Four Corners Liquor. A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Schram to approve the renewal. Motion carried and Chairman Chadbourne and Clerk Eifealdt signed the form.
February claims were submitted to the board for approval. A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Schram to approve payroll claims in the amount of $3,065.70 and expense claims in the amount of $7,495.35 for a total of $10,495.35. Motion carried.
Road report:
Grant reported that he had ordered new blades for the brush mower and would be ready to begin once the snow was gone. He also declined to enter into another sanding contract, but would continue for the rest of this season and estimates he has enough sand to finish the season.
Road Supervisor Chadbourne reported on three plow trucks that he had found through the State of MN, all with over 200,000 miles. Ours currently has about 160,000 and this is the 8th season of use in Erie Township. A motion was made by Supervisor Schram to authorize Supervisor Chadbourne to price a new plow truck. Supervisor Splonskowski commented that authorization has already been given to explore all options for a second plow truck. A suggestion was made to talk with the drivers for their input into the specifics of what features we would like to have.
Supervisor Splonskowski gave a brief report of the final weed report that had been submitted to the county noting that there had been two ditch mowings of 24 miles each and 40 miles of ditches sprayed.
Old Business:
Clerk Eifealdt presented the list of election judges selected for the March 8, 2022 township election. A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Schram to approve the list and also if any of them was unable to judge, a substitute could be appointed from the trained pool of judges. Motion carried.
The proposed agenda for the annual meeting was presented by Clerk Eifealdt. The levy was discussed briefly and tabled until the March meeting.
Anderson Saint George provided the board with an update on the Compassion House. There was discussion on whether or not we could use ARPA funds as there seemed to be mixed messages coming from different sources. The suggestion was made that we would not proceed until we can get clarification and that we will need to look deeper.
The discussion of hiring a fund manager for ARPA funds was tabled until the reorganizational meeting.
The additions to the administrative policies that had been discussed were also tabled until the reorganizational meeting.
The security light was briefly discussed because it was reported that it wasn’t working even though the bulb had just been replaced. Two people said that they thought it had been on when driving by and that it was working. It will be checked into further.
The financial audit has been moved to March 1st after the regular meeting. A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne to approve the change. Motion carried. Clerk Eifealdt will post the change.
New Business:
There was some discussion regarding the notice of dues for Becker County Association of Townships. It looked as if we haven’t been paying those annual dues since 2008. Clerk Eifealdt will check with former treasurer to clarify. Clerk Eifealdt shared the notice received regarding Group Life & Disability. No discussion.
The survey for Josh & Kayla Swangler was presented and briefly discussed.
Supervisor Chadbourne received notice that some boundaries will be changing within the county.
Treasurer Renner requested permission to purchase a shredder. A motion was made by Supervisor Chadbourne and seconded by Supervisor Schram to authorize the purchase. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Supervisor Chadbourne and seconded by Supervisor Schram to adjourn the meeting and the meeting was adjourned at 8:03. Note that Supervisor Splonskowski left the meeting at 7:30.
Respectfully submitted, Karen Eifealdt, Clerk